Roof for cars



I P. L. ROGERS ET AL ROOF FOR CARS 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed March 20, 1928 5 m a i W Wm f w Z w w PM 4 APB C Q a Q Q Dec. 25, 1923.

lv/r/vsss: I

P. L. ROGERS ET AL ROOF FOR cans Filed March 20, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 wan/#2 4 13 JITORNE Y6" Dec. 25, 1928;

P. L. ROGERS ET AL" ROOF FOR CARS 4 sheets-sheet Filed March 20.- 1928 Mlwmk Dec. 25, 1928. v 1,696,692

' P. L. ROGERS ET AL ROOF FOR CARS Fil d March 20, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Eric A [fi e yen: is

Patented Dec 25, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,696,692 PATENT OFFICE. v

PRICE ROGERS, OF NAB BERTH, AND LOUIS P. HOLLADAY, .13., OF CHESTNUT HILL,

' PENNSYLVANIA. i

'noo'r FOR cans.

Applicationflled March 20, 1928:. Serial No. 263,107.

This invention relates to an improved rooffor cars of the type used for the transportation of coal, stoneor the like, and in particular relates to a roof which may be opened to permit loading'and unloading-of the car. If coal is transported in cold weather in the open cars commonly in use, it is frequently wet by rain or snow and freezing takes lace so that. it is impossible to unload tii thawed out. The thawing process at present usedisvery expensive not only because of waste of fueland cost of necessary thawing equipment, but also because of the time egpended during which the car is standing i le.

It has been heretofore proposed to cover coal cars to prevent the entrance of water, and thus eliminate freezing. Some of the' structures proposed revented loading at the center of the car, w ich method of loading is necessary to give the car its maximum load. Those structures which did permit loading at the center extended outwardly from the sides of the car when open, thus seriously interfering with movements not only of the cars being loaded but also of cars on adjacent tracks; and furthermore, cars thus equipped could not be accommodated in the loading stations in common use because of lack of suflicient clearance. Even though it is generally desirable to load a car at the center and unload it from the bottom, it is sometimes necessary to load from the side and to empty the car by hand. The constructionsproposed have not permitted the various methods of loading and unloading described and consequently have not been adopted.

The primary object of the present inven-' tion is the provision of a roof construction permitting loading and unloading of the contents in any of the manners described and which will, neither in open nor closed position interfere with the free movement of the car under all conditions permitting free movement of the uncovered car.

Other objects of the invention particularly relating to the manipulation of the parts will be apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a car with the improved roof in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a' transverse section 'ofthe upper e car unless the mass is completely;

part of the car taken approximately on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation, partially broken showing the means for raising a sidesection.

While in the following description a coal car. may be referred to, it will be understoodthat the term includes .not.only a car of the type generally used for but similar cars used for carrying materials such as stone, ores or the like, to which the roof constituting the subject matter of this application may be equally effectively applied. A car of this type is indicated b numeral 2. This car has upwardly exten lng sides and ends, flanged at their upper edges, and a bottom formed of a number of hoppers which may be opened to unload the contents from a trestle. It will be obvious, however, that the improved roof may be used with a car having a Hat bottom. Upright channel-irons 4, secured to the ends of the car, extend thereabove and support longitudinally extending channels 6 and transversely extending channels 8 which "form supports for ,the roof structure. The channels 6 and 8 are supported above the car sides so as to hold the roofabove the peak of the coal forming a full load of the car. Trapezoid'al sheets 10 close the ends of the car above the tops of the end walls. Shafts 12, each of which may be provided with a squared end 14 for the reception of a crank, are journalled in bearings, suitably carrying coal carried by the roof supporting frame, and

extend the length of the car. A pinion 16 is provided on each end of each of the shafts.

If desirable for additional support, other pinions may be secured to the shafts interin two sections, one of which is carried by each of frames 20. Each section consists of an inner portion 24 and an outer portion 26, the inner portions 24 being substantially horizontal to form a walkway down the coin ter of the car, and the outer portions preferably sloping for drainage. The inner edge of one section overlaps the inner edge of the other section to prevent the entrance of rain. It will be noted that the sections overlap the shafts 12 and the side portions of the roof.

Uprights 28, secured to the flanges of the .car ends support transverse channels 30 forming rails for rollers 32 carried by frames 20. To support the sections when the roof is in open position, they are provided with downwardly extending members 34 carrying rollers 36, which run along the end flanges. It will be observed that the roof sections are thus supported for movement from the full line positions shown in Fig. 2 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2 or the full line position shown at the right of Fig. 3, each movement being accomplished by turning shafts 12; A

T e mechanisms just described are covered by removable housings 38.

Sloping side portions 40 of the roof are provided at their upper ends with ears 42 pivoted to turn freely on shafts 12. Theseportions 40 preferably extend the full length of the car and are braced by suitable beams. Each portion 40 carries a downwardly extending channel 43 in which rides a roller '45 carried by spindle 44 of a jack 46. The jack is operatedby a handle 48 which may be clasped to the side of the car when not in use. Since an suitable jack may be used and jacks 0 this type are common,

the same is not described in detail.

The weight of the roof insures against theft, since it cannot be raised except by the jack, which necessitates an expenditure of t me. If desirable, however, perforated members 50 may be secured to the edges of- ,the side portions to extend through slots in the flanges of the sides. These members may be locked or pinned to secure the side portions against being raised either by unauthorized persons or the load of coal.

A platform or platforms 52, reached by the usual ladder, may be provided at the car ends to enable a workman to turn shaft 12 to movethe central sections of the roof. It will be obvious, however, that the shafts 12 maybe suitably connected by chains or the like for simultaneous movement and that they may be connected to a crank or cranks located at any convenient and accessible position.

While each of'the various sections of the the roof is formed roof in the preferred embodiment shown ex-' tends the fulllength of the car, it is obvious that each may consist of a plurality of members separably' movable. Accordingly the ,terms sections or portions used in the claims are to be construed to mean not only sections or portions extending the full lengthof the car, but also those which might extend only a part of the'car length.

'From the above description the various manipulations of the roof will be clear. If it is desired to load the car from a chute above its center, thecentral sections of the roof may be moved outwardly. In the extreme outward position these sections uncover the car to substantially the inner edges of the sloping side portions, but do not extend beyond the sides of the car nor rise so as to necessitate the provision of extra top clearance at-the loading station.

If instead of loading from the top, it is necessary to load the car from the side, one or both of the side portions may be raised to horizontal position so that the chute or portable conveyor may direct the coal or other material through the opening thus produced. If the car is to be loaded by hand, it is similarly opened. In rising, the side sections do not move substantially beyond the sides of the car.

If a flat bottom car is used or it is necessary to empty 2. car having bottom openings by hand, the side sections may be raised and the center sections moved thereover without interference. In this way the contents may first be removed through the top and laterthrough the sides, the central opening and side openings permitting suflicient light and ventilation for the men working .in the car.

It will be obvious that numerous changes in details of construction may be made within the scopes of the following claims.

Having now fully described our invention, what we claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: i

1. In combination with a car having upwardly extending sides and ends, a roof including a central portion supported above the tops of the sides of the car and side portions sloping downwardly from the central portion to the sides and pivoted at their upper edges'about axes extending lengthwise of the car whereby the side portions may be raised to substantially horizontal positions, said central portion of the roof in cluding at least one section movable horizontally towards a side of the car over a sidewardly extending sides and ends, a roof including a central portion supported above the tops of the sides of the car and side portions sloping downwardly from the central portionto the sides and pivoted at their upper edges about axes extending lengthwise of the car whereby the side portions may be raised to substantially horizontal positions, said central portion of the roof including a plurality of sections meeting adjacent a vertical plane through the longitudinal center of the car, each section being movable horizontally towards the adjacent side of the car over a side portion to open the central portion of the car, and being of such width that, if moved to an extreme open position with its inner-edge adjacent the inner edge of the side portion over which it extends, it will not project substantially beyond the side of the car.

3. In combination with a car having upwardly extending sides and ends, a roof including a central portion supported above the tops of the sides of the car and side portions sloping downwardly from the central portion to the sides and pivoted at their upper edges about axes extending lengthwise of the car whereby the side portions may be.

raised to substantially horizontal positions,

' 7 said central portion of the roof including at least one section movable horizontally towards a side of the car over aside portion to open the central portion of the car, said section being of such width that, if moved to e an extreme open position with its inner edge adjacent the inner edge of the side portion over which it extends, it will not project substantially beyond the side of the car, and means for simultaneously imparting to both ends of said section the same sidewis'e moveportion to the sides and pivoted at their upper edges about axes extending lengthwise of the car whereby the said portions may be raised to substantially horizontal positions, said central portion of the roof including at least one section movable horizontally towards a side of the car over a side portion to open the central portion of the car, said section being of such'width that, if moved .to an extreme open position with its inner edge adj a'cent the inner edge of the side portion over which it extends, it will not projeet substantially beyond the side of the car, and means for maintaining the side portions in raised position.

In testimony of which invention, we have hereunto set our hands, at Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania, on this 14th day of March, 1928.

PRICE L. ROGERS. .LOUIS P. HOLLADAY, JR. 

